FOCUS ON RETAIL

Our Retail Series supports the bricks and mortar retail businesses of Kildare with a programme of training and mentoring annually.

Kildare County Council funds a grant support scheme to assist our local businesses in enhancing the exteriors of their premises playing a vital role in bringing a vibrant and attractive feel to the streetscapes of the towns and villages county-wide.

The Shopfront Improvement, Universal Accessibility & Age-Friendly and the Retail Window Merchandising grant schemes provide an excellent opportunity for businesses on our main thoroughfares to paint, install new doors and windows, enhance their signage and merchandising ultimately making the County’s streetscapes more attractive to passers-by. KCC provides 50% matched funding to its businesses to invest in their premises and sustain their presence; 75% can be awarded when businesses invest in enhancing access points under the principals and guidelines of Universal Accessibility and Age-Friendliness.

KCC’s Commercial Incentive Grant, Online Property Portal and one-to-one proactive engagement with premise owners and new entrants to Kildare assists greatly with connecting enterprise with opportune space in which to do business.

2026 Retail Cluster Events:

The Hidden Cost of Poor Stock Control... and How to Fix It

9^th February - https://www.localenterprise.ie/!2O6RLJ

Boost Sales with Visual Merchandising

20^th April - https://www.localenterprise.ie/!FKNB5U

Sustainable and Profitable - How Small Retailers Win on Both

11^th May - https://www.localenterprise.ie/!FVGSSE

Inclusive Customer Service

28^th September - https://www.localenterprise.ie/!QNCCS6

Data-Driven Store Layout Management

12^th October - https://www.localenterprise.ie/!IOWJRP

Kildare Supports for Retail, Hospitality and Local Service Businesses

• €10,000 Energy Efficiency Grant, which includes resource efficiency assessment of the business for Retail, Hospitality and Local Services Businesses with Up to 50 employees.
• €5,000 Shop Front Improvement, Accessibility and Age Friendly Grant
• €5,000 Digital for Business Grant
• €1,000 Retail Window Merchandising Grant
• €1,500 Irish Language Signage Grant
• Kildare County Council Commercial Incentive Grant Scheme
• Lean Retail - a customer-centric approach to inventory management
• Lean Tools for Hospitality
• 1-1 Business Mentoring from Experienced Retail Advisors
• Retail Series and specialised training opportunities
• Start Your Own Retail Business Programmes
• Access to Kildare’s Commercial Property Portal

*Grants are subject to terms and conditions.